V.l.n.r.: Vicente Salas Hesselbach (Managing Director, ITB Americas), Gustavo Staufert (Generaldirektor, Guadalajara Convention and Visitors Bureau), Michelle Fridman Hirsch (Generalsekretärin des Bundesstaates Jalisco), Dr. Mario Tobias (Geschäftsführer der Messe Berlin), Virginia Messina (Senior Vice President für Advocacy und Kommunikation, WTTC), Francisco José (Botschafter Mexikos), David Ruetz (Senior Vice President, Messe Berlin)

ITB Americas is the only travel trade show that covers North, Central and South America and the Caribbean as well as all segments of the travel industry, from Adventure & Responsible Tourism to Business Travel and Travel Technology. The planned distribution of exhibitors is 80 per cent from the Americas and 20 per cent from the rest of the world, with participants ranging from startups to global market leaders.

The entire American continent is displaying a positive trend in outbound travel, as the latest data from IPK International shows. Geographically in an ideal location, economically strong and with a first-class tourism infrastructure, Mexico is the ideal place for ITB Americas. In addition, the venue for the new event – Mexico’s second largest city Guadalajara in the State of Jalisco – offers excellent connectivity and the country’s most state-of-the-art exhibition and convention centre. The accompanying ITB Americas Conference will feature high-profile speakers addressing the latest industry trends, while specific networking formats will focus on buying and sales. With this new event, ITB is expanding its brand family which, in addition to Berlin, is successfully represented worldwide with trade shows in Shanghai, Singapore and Mumbai.

“The launch of ITB Americas represents a continuation of our successful international strategy,” says Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO of Messe Berlin. “Having previously focused on Asia, for us it is now ‘ITB goes West’. Whether for hiking in the Rocky Mountains, cruises in the Caribbean, exploring the Atacama Desert in South America or the Mayan culture in Central America, the Americas are not only among the most diverse regions for travel, but also an important source market, with countries such as the USA, Canada, Mexico and Brazil,” says Tobias.

Mexico’s s Secretary of Tourism, Josefina Rodriguez Zamora, emphasized that ITB Americas presents a key opportunity to strengthen the American market, build high-quality business connections, and showcase Mexico’s rich cultural and economic potential to the global tourism industry.

„As Governor of Jalisco, I am honored and delighted to welcome ITB Americas to Guadalajara. Hosting the most important tourism event in the industry in the heart of Mexican culture is a privilege. ITB Americas is a key platform for fostering connections, driving innovation, and showcasing the best of the Americas to the world. Jalisco is the soul of Mexico, the land of mariachi, tequila, and rich traditions, making it the perfect setting for this global gathering. We look forward to welcoming industry leaders and sharing Jalisco’s rich heritage, dynamic tourism offerings, and warm hospitality with the global travel community,“ says Pablo Lemus, Governor of Jalisco.

For more information about ITB Americas, visit itb-americas.com